Information on Drill, Buchanan County (houses, neighborhood, camp)

[ORexpat]

Does anyone know anything about the little town of Drill, in Buchanan County? It must be really small because it isn't listed anywhere, but it is on the map.

[theburro]

I have a vague recollection of the place having worked in that area many years ago. It is not a town at all, just a crossroads or a group of houses along the highway. Probably a coal camp at one time. I don't think there's even a Post Office, they probably get mail from the Council, VA P.O. Most of that area is pretty darn grim, it really doesn't have much going for it unless you are in the coal mining business. If you have any other questions please post them and I will try to answer.

[ORexpat]

Thanks for the information, theburro. That's what I suspected.

[jballa]

Originally Posted by theburro

I don't think there's even a Post Office, they probably get mail from the Council, VA P.O. Most of that area is pretty darn grim, it really doesn't have much going for it unless you are in the coal mining business.

My father's family is from Council, VA and yes it is a little isolated but pretty darn grim is a little harsh. I wouldn't live there and very rarely visit, but different people see things for different values. I couldn't pull my aunts, uncles or cousins from there with a winch & 4WD.

I cannot find Drill on any map but if memory serves me correctly, theburro is correct; a neighborhood with about 1-2 doz. houses with a garage and gas station on the main road just North of Council.

[fuzzyblue]

My grandma is from Drill, Va. Her name was Biddy Osborne- Harris. I am trying to find out about my family roots. Osborne is her maiden name, her mom's surname was Rachel Brown. My grandpa is from there and I have never even met him, his name is Charles Stover. Any info would be great.
Thanks!!

[ORexpat]

Thanks for the information, everyone. I guess I should explain: my family name is Drill, and I've been told they spent time in this area before starting the trek west. I've always wondered about the origin of the name. It doesn't sound like much, but I'd still like to visit one day.

[theburro]

Good luck in your search. If it helps, Drill is in Russell County rather than Buchanan as we originally thought. It's right on the county line. I know some folks down there and I'll see if they can take some photos and if they do, I'll post them.

Originally Posted by jballa

knocking somewhere you've never been? My father's family is from Council, VA and yes it is a little isolated but pretty darn grim is a little harsh. I wouldn't live there and very rarely visit, but different people see things for different values. I couldn't pull my aunts, uncles or cousins from there with a winch & 4WD.

I cannot find Drill on any map but if memory serves me correctly, theburro is correct; a neighborhood with about 1-2 doz. houses with a garage and gas station on the main road just North of Council.

What is it with people who get on these threads just to argue? Did you read my post? I said I HAD been to Drill, as well as every part of Buchanan, Dickenson and Russell Counties. You then go on to reveal your hypocrisy, on one hand saying YOU would never live there but then defending it only because your kinfolk are there. I met hundreds of people in SW VA with similar attitudes; I wouldn't call it enlightenment but static inertia. If it soothes your offended sensibilities, I should have said the area is grim IMO (in my opinion). And I shouldn't have said it has little going for it except coal mining; there is after all, the Supermax Prisons at Walden Ridge and Red Onion Mountain. I also know those areas pretty well, the mountains not the penitentiaries. Anyone who has ever read my posts on this forum knows I don't give advice and rarely make generalizations, I just call 'em like I see 'em and let people make up their own minds.

[Yac]

Keep it cool guys. Stick to the topic. Please.

[fuzzyblue]

My great grandparents where from Drill,Va also. Their names where Ether & Rachel Osborne. If anyone knows anything please let me know.

[fuzzyblue]

Thanks for your help. I would love to see pics of the places down there where my family lived their life. Someday I will go visit.